I'm building a character for a new Curse of Strahd campaign (level 1-10) and I want to create good party synergy or fill a needed role. There are six players, and the other five are making: Paladin, Monk, Barbarian, Cleric, and the fifth is either a Wizard or Sorcerer. So, three melee classes, a cleric, and a wizard! What classes or builds do you suggest for me?
My top candidates at the moment: Bard - Brings a spell list not already used, and Bardic Inspiration seems like a good addition to any party. Druid - Brings a spell list not already used, and I can pop into combat as an animal when needed. Archer - There are so many ways to build a ranged combat expert! Fighter? Ranger? Rogue?
Based on your current party, it sounds like you may be laking in ranged attacks (as I see the Wizard being the only one who would regularly focus on ranged spells and spell attacks), so I would recommend doing the Archer.
If you were leaning towards using nature magic through the druid, I would then recommend do the Ranger. I am not sure if your DM is allowing it or not, but the CoS module comes with a custom background option called Monster Hunter which could mesh well with the idea of a Favored Enemy held by rangers.
If youd prefer to "optimize" your ranged melee attacks, a classic fighter may be better.
I am currently running CoS as a DM. Without spoiling anything I can say that it seems to be very roleplay-oriented (at least with the way me and my party are playing it). Perhaps others who have DM'd or played this module can add to this, but if you build a character whose skills are only combat oriented, your character may feel fairly weak during the more social or exploratory parts of the campaign. It would probably be something worth discussing with the DM during "session zero" so you can build your character based on what you expect to be doing during most the campaign and your character doesnt feel left out.
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Thanks Kaboom, I think my favorite archer build for this would be a human(variant) with Crossbow Master, and choose ranger(hunter), rogue(thief), bard(valor) for skills and utility. With any of those classes, I'd make sure to get proficiency with survival, stealth, and thieves' tools. I figure Crossbow Master for extra attacks plus either Archery Style or Sneak Attack is sufficient combat ability for low levels. The bard would have a little less skill at archery, but more flexibility because of being a full spellcaster.
3 levels of Revised Ranger would be particularly useful in CoS- Primeval awareness lets you scan a few miles for nearby undead, which is really useful.
Having Undead as a favoured enemy gets you +2 damage bonus (revised version only). Monster Slayer gives you protection from evil spell and an extra d6 damage at 3rd level.
From there I'd start adding in levels of rogue to stack in sneak attack, expertise, cunning action, Evasion and all the other fun stuff Rogues get :)
Small revision to my previous comment. The background option is actually called Haunted One. For some reason I always associate it with monster hunters. Either way, mistake on my part
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I created a backup character for my main PC, and I think it would be perfect for CoS. Protector Aasimar - Fighter 2, then Celestial Warlock. Great healing, radiant and fire damage (which would be beneficial against vampires...) and there's pretty nice ranged spells. You could do Improved Pact Weapon Invocation for a pact bow...
I created a backup character for my main PC, and I think it would be perfect for CoS. Protector Aasimar - Fighter 2, then Celestial Warlock. Great healing, radiant and fire damage (which would be beneficial against vampires...) and there's pretty nice ranged spells. You could do Improved Pact Weapon Invocation for a pact bow...
I would agree with this. You are going to be facing vampires and undead so you will want that radiant damage to deal. You only have one caster which is okay, but you may want another ranged fighter that could serve as a potential anti-mage so I would say any kind of Archer. You have some other options too. I will say that I am using an Arcane Archer Trickster so I am a little biased. You do get wizard spells (with the Arcane Trickster) and a good amount of effects on your shots to help take out enemies while potentially helping with some crowd control. However, Ranger offers fantastic utility as archers as well. But CoS in my opinion is very RP heavy. A Rogue or Rogue multi-class may help with the social interactions you will be having throughout your campaign.
Sorlock, either shadow sorc, or divine soul sorc, and hexblade warlock. Arcane blaster build. Either a winged tiefling for flavor and wings, or half-drow for access to elven accuracy. Your offense will be blowing things into paste with either Fireball for AoE, or Eldritch Blast for single targets. The rest of the package will offer many options; shadow sorcerer gets you easy access to Darkness/Devil Sight combo and coolest theme, the divine soul gets you a wide range of utility with access to the cleric spell list. Book or Chain pacts can offer many options as well. 1st level pick sorcerer for the save proficiency in Constitution, then throw in 3 levels of warlock, rest sorcerer. Good times!
My Curse of Strahd character was a Blood Hunter with the Ghost Hunter archetype. Their main class ability is cranking out lots of radiant damage, which made this a good choice for CoS. The risk/reward mechanics aren't for everyone, though.
My character was an Oath of Ancients Paladin. I wielded a scythe (glaive stats), picked up sentinel and polearm master feats and chose defense fighting style. Plenty of opportunity (attacks) to smite in melee combat and also had spells to inflict at distance when needed. I essentially became the tank and mage slayer of the group while dabbling in secondary healer/support (we had a Life Cleric). My high charisma stat as a Paladin helped with RP outside of combat as well.
as a DM i'd want wizard over sorcerer... love it when there's a wizard in the group. with find familiar i just hand them the map and say 'your owl sees this'. lots of outdoor maps in strahd.
I'm building a character for a new Curse of Strahd campaign (level 1-10) and I want to create good party synergy or fill a needed role. There are six players, and the other five are making: Paladin, Monk, Barbarian, Cleric, and the fifth is either a Wizard or Sorcerer. So, three melee classes, a cleric, and a wizard! What classes or builds do you suggest for me?
My top candidates at the moment:
Bard - Brings a spell list not already used, and Bardic Inspiration seems like a good addition to any party.
Druid - Brings a spell list not already used, and I can pop into combat as an animal when needed.
Archer - There are so many ways to build a ranged combat expert! Fighter? Ranger? Rogue?
All suggestions are appreciated!
Based on your current party, it sounds like you may be laking in ranged attacks (as I see the Wizard being the only one who would regularly focus on ranged spells and spell attacks), so I would recommend doing the Archer.
If you were leaning towards using nature magic through the druid, I would then recommend do the Ranger. I am not sure if your DM is allowing it or not, but the CoS module comes with a custom background option called Monster Hunter which could mesh well with the idea of a Favored Enemy held by rangers.
If youd prefer to "optimize" your ranged melee attacks, a classic fighter may be better.
I am currently running CoS as a DM. Without spoiling anything I can say that it seems to be very roleplay-oriented (at least with the way me and my party are playing it). Perhaps others who have DM'd or played this module can add to this, but if you build a character whose skills are only combat oriented, your character may feel fairly weak during the more social or exploratory parts of the campaign. It would probably be something worth discussing with the DM during "session zero" so you can build your character based on what you expect to be doing during most the campaign and your character doesnt feel left out.
Four-time Judge of the Competition of the Finest Brews! Come join us in making fun, unique homebrew and voting for your favorite entries!
Thanks Kaboom, I think my favorite archer build for this would be a human(variant) with Crossbow Master, and choose ranger(hunter), rogue(thief), bard(valor) for skills and utility. With any of those classes, I'd make sure to get proficiency with survival, stealth, and thieves' tools. I figure Crossbow Master for extra attacks plus either Archery Style or Sneak Attack is sufficient combat ability for low levels. The bard would have a little less skill at archery, but more flexibility because of being a full spellcaster.
3 levels of Revised Ranger would be particularly useful in CoS- Primeval awareness lets you scan a few miles for nearby undead, which is really useful.
Having Undead as a favoured enemy gets you +2 damage bonus (revised version only). Monster Slayer gives you protection from evil spell and an extra d6 damage at 3rd level.
From there I'd start adding in levels of rogue to stack in sneak attack, expertise, cunning action, Evasion and all the other fun stuff Rogues get :)
Small revision to my previous comment. The background option is actually called Haunted One. For some reason I always associate it with monster hunters. Either way, mistake on my part
Four-time Judge of the Competition of the Finest Brews! Come join us in making fun, unique homebrew and voting for your favorite entries!
I created a backup character for my main PC, and I think it would be perfect for CoS.
Protector Aasimar - Fighter 2, then Celestial Warlock.
Great healing, radiant and fire damage (which would be beneficial against vampires...) and there's pretty nice ranged spells. You could do Improved Pact Weapon Invocation for a pact bow...
I would agree with this. You are going to be facing vampires and undead so you will want that radiant damage to deal. You only have one caster which is okay, but you may want another ranged fighter that could serve as a potential anti-mage so I would say any kind of Archer. You have some other options too. I will say that I am using an Arcane Archer Trickster so I am a little biased. You do get wizard spells (with the Arcane Trickster) and a good amount of effects on your shots to help take out enemies while potentially helping with some crowd control. However, Ranger offers fantastic utility as archers as well. But CoS in my opinion is very RP heavy. A Rogue or Rogue multi-class may help with the social interactions you will be having throughout your campaign.
Sorlock, either shadow sorc, or divine soul sorc, and hexblade warlock. Arcane blaster build. Either a winged tiefling for flavor and wings, or half-drow for access to elven accuracy. Your offense will be blowing things into paste with either Fireball for AoE, or Eldritch Blast for single targets. The rest of the package will offer many options; shadow sorcerer gets you easy access to Darkness/Devil Sight combo and coolest theme, the divine soul gets you a wide range of utility with access to the cleric spell list. Book or Chain pacts can offer many options as well. 1st level pick sorcerer for the save proficiency in Constitution, then throw in 3 levels of warlock, rest sorcerer. Good times!
I am getting ready to play Curse of Stradh.
Can you share your character? looking for ideas
My Curse of Strahd character was a Blood Hunter with the Ghost Hunter archetype. Their main class ability is cranking out lots of radiant damage, which made this a good choice for CoS. The risk/reward mechanics aren't for everyone, though.
DICE FALL, EVERYONE ROCKS!
My character was an Oath of Ancients Paladin. I wielded a scythe (glaive stats), picked up sentinel and polearm master feats and chose defense fighting style. Plenty of opportunity (attacks) to smite in melee combat and also had spells to inflict at distance when needed. I essentially became the tank and mage slayer of the group while dabbling in secondary healer/support (we had a Life Cleric). My high charisma stat as a Paladin helped with RP outside of combat as well.
as a DM i'd want wizard over sorcerer... love it when there's a wizard in the group. with find familiar i just hand them the map and say 'your owl sees this'. lots of outdoor maps in strahd.
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